Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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833. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if libraries are allowed to operate collection and drop-off services in branches and mobile libraries under level 4 and 5 restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34755/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The ‘Plan for Living with COVID-19’, issued by Government, states that all museums, galleries and other cultural attractions, including libraries and mobile libraries, are closed to the public under Levels 4 and 5 but are available for online services. The public health risk is deemed such that people are being asked to stay at home, apart from essential work or attending school. It is vital that we limit our contacts and trips outside of our homes and this currently includes visits to the library. That said, some libraries are offering a delivery service of library items including books, audiobooks and DVDs to vulnerable households, in line with arrangements put in place earlier this year to support those who were cocooning.

There is an excellent online library service available nationwide and my Department has invested some €400,000 in the online service this year alone. It provides access to more than 48,000 eBooks and 33,000 audiobooks, 4,000 magazines, 2,400 online newspapers from over 100 countries, more than 500 e-learning courses and 100 online language courses.